Events
Events
Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Know your rotation speed
A typical trainer rotates in the mid-50s of knots - a 172 at around 55 KIAS, climbing out at a Vy in the low 70s, though check your own POH rather than memorising Cessna's numbers - and the transferable rule is that Vr sits just above the stall speed in takeoff configuration. Rotate early because "it felt ready" and the aircraft lifts off inside ground effect, where induced drag is reduced, then climbs out of it into more drag. On a marginal-performance day the result is an aircraft that lifts off and then refuses to climb, sagging back towards the runway.
Read more in Improve Your Take-OffsStart to finish · 14 stages, 12 scored
Events
Events
Events
Events
One stabilised approach gate for a circuit: six checks at the point nearest 500 ft above the runway after the base turn. The 1,000 ft gate is an instrument-approach check and does not apply.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 584 m of the approach.
Plan view — the full 584 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 158 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
The flight began with the aircraft, a Sting S4, taxiing from the parking area to the runway at the LFBJ Aérodrome de Saint-Junien. This process took approximately 2 minutes and covered a distance of less than 1 nautical mile. The aircraft then proceeded to depart from runway 25, with a takeoff distance of 94 meters, which accounted for 16% of the runway's length. The liftoff speed was recorded at 50 knots.
The local weather conditions at the time of takeoff were characterized by a temperature of 24 degrees Celsius and a wind speed of 2 knots from a direction of 272 degrees. This resulted in a crosswind of 1 knot and a headwind of 2 knots. Following takeoff, the aircraft entered a left-hand pattern from runway 25, covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile in just 12 seconds. The subsequent left-hand pattern crosswind leg was completed in 28 seconds, also covering a distance of less than 1 nautical mile.
The aircraft then proceeded to the pattern downwind turn, which involved a distance of 1 nautical mile and an angle to the runway of 64.6 degrees. The downwind leg itself took 83 seconds to complete, covering a distance of 1 nautical mile. The final approach to runway 25 was made from the north-east, with a heading of 243.0 degrees and an altitude of 198 feet above ground level (agl) at a distance of 0 nautical miles from the runway.
The landing on runway 25 was successful, with a threshold height that was considered good and a threshold speed of 52 knots, which was also deemed satisfactory. The touchdown distance was 156 meters, which was within acceptable limits, and the touchdown speed of 43 knots was slightly faster than desired. However, the touchdown rate of -218 feet per minute was considered fair. The runway touchdown alignment was very good, and the local weather conditions remained the same as during takeoff.
The total landing distance was 229 meters, accounting for 39% of the runway's length. The runway rollout alignment was perfect, indicating a smooth and controlled descent. The total flight distance was 3 nautical miles, and the flight duration was 5 minutes. Notably, the aircraft used no fuel during the flight.
The aircraft, identified as the Sting S4, successfully landed at the LFBJ Aérodrome de Saint-Junien, achieving a high score of 98.9%. The final approach to runway 25 was initiated from the north east, with a heading of 243.0° at an altitude of 198 feet above ground level (agl) and a distance of 0 nautical miles from the runway.
Upon landing, the aircraft demonstrated good control and precision, with a threshold height that was well within acceptable limits. The threshold speed of 52 knots was also satisfactory, indicating a smooth and controlled descent. The touchdown distance of 156 meters was within the expected range, further highlighting the pilot's skill and control.
However, there were some areas for improvement. The touchdown speed of 43 knots was slightly faster than recommended, which may have resulted in a slightly higher touchdown rate of -218 feet per minute (fpm). While this was still within acceptable limits, it suggests that the pilot may have been able to achieve a smoother touchdown with a slightly slower approach speed.
Despite this, the overall performance of the aircraft was impressive. The runway touchdown alignment was very good, indicating that the pilot had maintained a stable and controlled approach. The local weather conditions, with a temperature of 24°C and a gentle headwind of 2 knots, were also favorable for the landing.
The total landing distance of 229 meters was relatively short, accounting for only 39% of the runway length. This suggests that the pilot had made effective use of the available runway length, and that the aircraft was well under control throughout the landing. Finally, the runway rollout alignment was perfect, indicating that the pilot had maintained a stable and controlled rollout after touchdown.
Overall, the landing was a success, with the pilot demonstrating a high level of skill and control throughout the approach and landing. While there were some areas for improvement, the aircraft's performance was impressive, and the pilot's ability to navigate the challenging weather conditions was commendable.
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